1
as in cuddling
to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love
it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in brushing
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of kissing
Carolyn and John play cat and mouse at a Calvin Klein event at Indochine, avoiding each other at the restaurant and kissing in alleys, where the paparazzi can’t see them.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
How Kit Harington Ended Up In the Film The behind-the-scenes footage arrived roughly six months after Turner first discussed the awkwardness of kissing her former on-screen sibling.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
But, still, others showed the more tender side of family life, a mother kissing her young daughter.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
So good that, during the holidays, Perry shared a carousel of pictures that included Bloom playing with their daughter, and one of Perry kissing Trudeau.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Feb. 2026
Hawke and Hutson’s romance dates back to 2023, when they were spotted kissing in New York City.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2026
They were spotted kissing and dancing at Gator’s just hours before the arrest, as seen in video obtained by TMZ.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Noone admitted in court to touching the teen inappropriately by rubbing and grabbing the teen’s butt, kissing her arm and rubbing her thigh, according to the Times.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
In February 2023, rumors started circulating of Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner being spotted together kissing.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
How Kit Harington Ended Up In the Film The behind-the-scenes footage arrived roughly six months after Turner first discussed the awkwardness of kissing her former on-screen sibling.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
But, still, others showed the more tender side of family life, a mother kissing her young daughter.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
So good that, during the holidays, Perry shared a carousel of pictures that included Bloom playing with their daughter, and one of Perry kissing Trudeau.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Feb. 2026
Hawke and Hutson’s romance dates back to 2023, when they were spotted kissing in New York City.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2026
They were spotted kissing and dancing at Gator’s just hours before the arrest, as seen in video obtained by TMZ.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Noone admitted in court to touching the teen inappropriately by rubbing and grabbing the teen’s butt, kissing her arm and rubbing her thigh, according to the Times.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
In February 2023, rumors started circulating of Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner being spotted together kissing.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing
Verb
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Some commenters online point out that boundaries may look different in close friendships, where gestures that might be read as romantic in other contexts, like cuddling, are not always tied to romantic interest.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Whether that’s going to see a show, tossing some axes, cuddling with some cats at a café or racing down the slopes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.—
Heather Zidack,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tammy Boarman began keeping a jug of bottled water next to the sink for brushing her teeth.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
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The video shows friends and family washing Vonn's hair in an inflatable basin and later brushing and braiding it.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Monday, the actress shared her latest Instagram carousel, which showed the actor smooching Alba on the cheek.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
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Elsewhere in their conversation for VF, Hawke pointed out that Paltrow's Central Park kiss with Chalamet is reminiscent of a moment from Great Expectations, which saw the two actors smooching in the park.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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And with record state budget surpluses during the pandemic, California was able to do it without touching other school funding.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
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Love turns 85 next month, and his soft-spoken manner in his museum soliloquy was touching to many of those in the audience, even some of those not normally inclined to favor his point of view on disputes that have been part of Beach Boys lore over the decades.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Teammates on the bench hung their heads in unplanned unison, while others began hugging Svensson Traff.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
19 Feb. 2026
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That’s when horizon-hugging planets like Venus will stay up longer.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Loved by Oprah, the AirEssentials collection is made of lightweight, soft, and breathable fabric that is perfect for flights, layering for sightseeing tours, or snuggling up at home.—
Taylor Fox,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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My son loves the fun parts of puppy parenting like snuggling, petting, playing, and running together.—
Angela Hatem,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kissing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kissing. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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